Innomatic and Ikologik join forces to optimise production processes

Tom Piette from Wevelgem-based Innomatic, which automates production processes, and Tom Serru from Bruges-based Ikologik, which uses sensors to collect data from those production processes in order to optimise them, are joining forces. Together, they want to help entrepreneurs make their activities more efficient. The pair are also participating in Bryo ScaleUp.
‘A programme that’s been very rewarding for us..’

Tom Piette from Innomatic specialises in process and business automation. The company coordinates new production lines, conveyor belts and industrial processes into a single, optimised production process.

Tom Serru from Ikologik has developed an application that maps production processes and provides insights, so that machinery can be used as efficiently as possible and savings can be made on raw materials. In this way, Ikologik makes production processes in companies more efficient and sustainable.

‘A collaboration was simply logical,’ says Piette. ‘Together, we make companies' production processes as efficient as possible. Innomatic installs sensors in the production process, and Ikologik extracts the data to analyse and optimise the production process.’

Dely Wafels in Estaimpuis is one of the companies where Innomatic and Ikologik collaborate. ‘In the past, when we had to produce a certain quantity for a customer, we calculated how much dough we needed for that,’ says manager Davy Van Poucke. "We calculated a considerable margin. After all, something can always go wrong with the production process and you obviously don't want to have to start all over again for a small quantity. Thanks to the collaboration between Innomatic and Ikologik, our people in the bakery know in real time how much product has been produced. As soon as the target quantity is reached, production can be stopped. This makes our production process much more efficient. We have much less surplus because we no longer have to factor in margins."

Of course, Innomatic and Ikologik are not the only providers on the market. ‘We can be much more flexible than larger companies. Businesses don't have to monitor all parameters right away. They can start with the parameters that make the biggest difference to them and build on them later if they want to. We aim for a sustainable long-term relationship with the customer.’ Tom Piette started Innomatic in 2015, Tom Serru started Ikologik six years ago. Both managers are following the Bryo ScaleUp programme at Voka. ‘The biggest plus for me is the network you build up during the programme,’ says Tom Piette. ‘It's enriching to meet people who are in the same boat as you. I also feel that during the programme we are pushed to think more about what we do.’ Tom Serru adds: "You are forced to take a step back and look at your own company from a helicopter perspective. 'Which direction do I want to go in, how do I want to prepare my company for the future? The coaches act as a sounding board. The topics covered are always tailored to the phase our company is in at that moment. I am very happy to be participating." (JM – Photo DD)